Meet Hailey Campagna, who has committed to the Mississippi State volleyball team
Hailey Campagna, a senior at Hilliard Davidson, has committed to Mississippi State and is one of the best volleyball players in Central Ohio.
With the Ohio High School Athletic Association adding three divisions, bringing the number of state champions in girls volleyball to seven, Central Ohio programs have additional opportunities for postseason success.
Two of the four 2023 Division I district champions have remained in the big-school division, with Pickerington Central and Olentangy Orange hoping to repeat. Central will be without Myriah Massey, a 2024 graduate who will play freshman beach volleyball at Florida State.
Orange reached the state finals last season, losing to Kings Mills Kings 25-16, 25-10 and 25-21.
Division I district champions Dublin Scioto (Division II) and Watterson (Division III) dropped one and two levels, respectively. Scioto must compensate for the loss of Alec Rothe, who now plays for Florida. The middle forward was The Dispatch’s Female Athlete of the Year in the sport, district co-player of the year with Massey and first division all-state player. She was also the Gatorade Ohio Volleyball Player of the Year.
All Ohio States: USA Today Network’s 2024 Girls Volleyball Preseason Team
Here are 12 Central Ohio volleyball players to watch this fall:
Evelyn Brown, Bloom-Carroll
The veteran middle attacker hopes to lead the Bulldogs to a third straight MSL Buckeye title. The Mount Vernon Nazarene product posted 340 kills and 90 blocks last fall and was named to the state first team in Division II. She also shared district player of the year honors with Highland’s Kameron Stover and was the MSL Buckeye player of the year. Bloom-Carroll (24-2, 14-0) lost to Hartley 28-26, 26-24, 20-25, 16-25, 15-6 in the district final. The Bulldogs advanced to Division III.
Hailey Campagna, Hilliard Davidson
After a stellar season at Division IV Shekinah Christian, the veteran outside hitter has transferred to Division I Davidson. The Mississippi State player helped Shekinah Christian to the district title last year before losing to Sarahsville Shenandoah in the regional finals by scores of 25-20, 25-12, 25-18. She was a first division and district player and MOCAL player of the year. Campagna finished the season with 649 kills, 531 digs, 79 aces, and 31 blocks.
Layla Hoying, Watterson
The junior outside hitter helped the Eagles (17-10) to a Division I district title before losing to Scioto in the regional semifinals, 25-14, 25-16, 25-22. Hoying, who has committed to Ohio State, posted 392 kills, 204 digs, 50 aces, and 33 blocks. She was first-team all-district and all-CCL and third-team all-state.
Dylan Hunt, Pickerington North
The veteran outside hitter was named OCC Ohio Player of the Year, all-district first team and state honorable mention in Division I last season. The New Hampshire product led the Panthers in kills (294) and was second in digs (226) in helping North win the league title.
Mallory Matheny, Hartley
The young setter hopes to lead the Hawks to a return to state after they lost to Gates Mills Gilmour Academy in the Division II semifinals last season, 25-14, 25-15, 25-14. The Indiana product led Hartley (27-7) in assists (443) and aces (71) and was named to the district and CCL first team. The Hawks have moved up to Division III.
Alia Schoonover, Buckeye Valley
The junior middle blocker was a force for the Barons last season, finishing with a team-high 359 kills and 75 aces, while adding 250 digs. The Ohio State player was a first-team All-District selection in Division II and the Central Buckeye League Offensive Player of the Year. The Barons have moved up to Division IV.
Lyla Stewart, DeSales
The young right wing attacker is expected to play a key role again for the Stallions. Last season, she led the team in kills (375) and aces (41) and added 226 digs and 17 blocks. The Wake Forest signee was on the All-District first team in Division II and was on the All-CCL first team. DeSales has moved up to Division III.
Cameron Stover, Highland
The right wing/outside attacker returns for her final season and looks to lead the Fighting Scots to continued success. Last season, the Walsh player shared Division II District Player of the Year honors with Bloom-Carroll’s Brown and was the MOAC Player of the Year. Stover was also named to the state first team after helping Highland win a district championship. She finished with 636 kills, 319 digs, 74 aces and 40 blocks. Highland will compete in Division IV.
Larsen Terrill, Highland
The veteran setter and right tackle joins Stover to give the Scots another dynamic duo. A year ago, the Wright State signing helped Highland win its 11th straight league title and seventh district championship in 11 seasons. Larsen, the daughter of coach Rob Terrill, was first-team All-District and All-MOAC and second-team All-State in Division II, recording 788 assists, 270 digs, 202 kills and 72 aces.
Christian Thompson, Fairfield Union
The veteran outside hitter surpassed the 1,000 career kill mark earlier this season, becoming the first player in program history to do so. The Ohio University player was on the All-State and All-Southeast District teams as well as the All-MSL Buckeye first team in Division II last season, finishing the season with 590 kills, 360 digs, 48 aces and 48 blocks. The Falcons have moved up to Division IV.
Bekah Williams, Christian from Delaware
The veteran rotation player is coming off a season in which she was named the Division IV District Player of the Year and was named to the All-State second team. Williams reached 1,000 career digs last season and is closing in on 1,000 career kills. She finished last season with 364 kills, 424 digs, 54 aces and 39 blocks. The Eagles have moved up to Division VI.
Maddie Zechman, Dublin Scioto
With the team hit hard by graduation, the veteran setter returns to lead the Irish. Last season, she was a first-team All-District and All-OCC Capital selection and an honorable mention Division I All-State selection after recording 728 assists, 184 digs and 82 aces. The player, who has committed to Indiana University of Pennsylvania, has more than 2,200 assists in her career.
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